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Barry Luokkala

loukkala.jpg“I became a Christian in the first semester of my senior year at Pitt, as a result of the prayers of one or more students who were already involved in the CCO’s Cornerstone Fellowship, at Bellefield Presbyterian Church. Following my conversion, and after half a year of arm-twisting by my best friend’s girlfriend, I was finally persuaded that I needed to get involved in Christian fellowship.”

Barry Luokkala, a 1976 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh went on to receive two graduate degrees in physics and is now a physicist at Carnegie Mellon University. He and his wife Janet, a 1979 graduate of Carlow College, in psychology and business, are active members of nearby Church of the Ascension.

“Janet and I met at CCO’s Cornerstone Fellowship. Janet had already been actively involved in the fellowship for some time before I started to attend in the summer of 1977. We were both involved in (separate) small group Bible studies as students. I became part of the leadership team, and led a small group focused on the arts (somewhat unusual, considering that I was in graduate school in physics at the time). We were married at Bellefield in 1980, and small group Bible studies continue to be an essential part of our life together.

“In terms of theology, the biggest impact of the ministry of the CCO was the reformational idea that God is interested in redeeming and transforming all of life, not just saving souls.  This rests on the solid foundation of scripture, and has implications for daily living and all of human activity: “Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do it as unto the Lord.”

“The CCO’s ministry brought me to a growing awareness that God cares about all areas of human activity, and so should we, as followers of Christ. My vocation is in academia, specifically physics. The people with whom I interact, for the most part, are naturally curious about all sorts of things, and most people in the sciences still believe that there is such a thing as truth. As opportunities arise, I’m happy to tell my story, and to talk about the One whom I believe to be the way the truth and the life. But I also try to put into practice the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.”

“In addition to weekly worship services, Janet and I are members of a weekly small group bible study.  Both of us are members of the ushering team, and I’m on the sound tech crew.  Were also leaders of a small group bible study for roughly 18 years.  At various times I’ve been a member of the Vestry, a layreader, head of the adult education committee, and have taught a number of adult education classes.

“If it is true that God is concerned about redeeming all of life, there must be implications for how we live. I’ll pick two examples at random: politics and vocation.  In regard to politics, I grew up in a non-Christian home, in which the prime directive was peace and social justice. I still carry with me a strong sense of social justice, and I suspect that I always will, but with a growing awareness of the complexity of issues, and the need for thinking deeply and critically about the world around us. In regard to vocation, I see opportunities all around me for having a positive impact, and find it difficult to say no when asked to serve beyond my basic job. Even at this stage in my life, I have to learn to curb my youthful enthusiasm.”